The Lived Experience Advocacy Committee recently hosted a community meeting in Amarillo to discuss homelessness and explore ways to strengthen collaboration with the Amarillo Police Department. The meeting brought together community members, law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, and individuals experiencing homelessness to foster dialogue and develop practical solutions.
“The purpose of the meeting was a long overdue conversation that is going to take collaboration about homelessness, about what is constituted as criminalization of homelessness, stigma and scrutiny of law enforcement,” said Lacey Epperson, chairperson on the Lived Advocacy subcommittee. “It’s going to take more integration of people from all facets of the community to come together and start navigating solutions and not being more problematic, because that’s just what happens.”
Committee members operate under Amarillo’s Continuum of Care program, which works to address homelessness through resource coordination, strategic planning, and funding. The program emphasizes collaboration between community organizations, local government, and law enforcement to create sustainable solutions. In preparation for the meeting, the committee worked closely with the police department to bridge gaps and ensure a productive discussion.
During the session, attendees heard from committee and nonprofit officials, individuals currently experiencing homelessness, and representatives from the police department. Interim Chief Jimmy Johnson participated, along with sergeants from the community engagement unit and the crisis intervention team. The goal was to create an open dialogue where all voices could be heard and potential strategies explored.
“What I heard from the community today is that, I mean, they’re very passionate about helping all of the unhoused individuals we have here in the city. And it’s really kind of inspiring for the police department because they want to include us in what they do, and we’ll always assist them in anyway we can,” said Sgt. Sheldon West of the community engagement unit with the Amarillo Police Department.
The meeting highlighted the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and community groups in addressing homelessness. Committee and police officials stressed the need for ongoing engagement with businesses, local organizations, and residents to develop practical solutions that support unhoused individuals while also addressing community concerns.
Officials noted that the meeting was just the first step in a continuing effort to create stronger partnerships. The Lived Experience Advocacy Committee plans to host additional meetings and work to reduce barriers between the community, nonprofits, law enforcement, and individuals experiencing homelessness. The emphasis is on coordinated approaches, understanding the challenges faced by the unhoused population, and finding strategies that promote dignity and support rather than punishment or marginalization.
By fostering communication and cooperation, the committee aims to encourage a more inclusive approach to addressing homelessness in Amarillo. Bringing together multiple stakeholders allows the city to consider a range of perspectives, from those directly experiencing homelessness to the officers tasked with maintaining public safety. Community leaders believe this type of dialogue is essential to developing lasting solutions that balance compassion with practical action.
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